Name: Mrs. Michelle L. Stephens - Oklahoma Christian University

OC launches EagleConnection, a websitehelping alumni reuniteWhen Michael and Christi Clark recentlyunpacked and settled into their new homein Battle Creek, Michigan, it wasn’t longbefore they let OC know of their newmove, their new baby (Carson Ryan), andMichael’s new marketing job with Kellogg’sCorporation.When the alumni office receives theinformation, it’s updated in OC’s alumnidatabase so the Clarks will continue toreceive mailings from their alma mater. Theinfo also is posted on the online versionof Milestones on the OC website (www.oc.edu/alumni) and is printed in VISION.The job gets done, eventually, and theClarks stay connected and their friends getto see their news. But now, all that is goingto change for the better with the introductionof Eagle Connection.It’s a new web-based data managementsystem that will transform the way alumniconnect in faster and more accurate ways.Alumni Relations Director Stephen Eck(92) can’t help but smile when he talksabout it.“Eagle Connection is a very good thing,”he said. “We will be able to connect alumniin more ways than ever before – by major,graduation year, clubs, activities … evengeographic region.”“We, as alumni, have longed for thisservice for a long time,” Eck said. Nowtechnology is making it happen.Eagle Connection is scheduled to goonline later this spring. Alumni can log inand have the ability to choose to share theirinformation with other alumni.“It’s similar to popular online reunionservices like classmates.com,” Eck said.“But ours is free and secure.”“My wife and I move often, and it wouldbe nice to know alumni in our new area,”Michael Clark (98) said.Clark started his career with Kellogg’s asa sophomore at OC, and has been movingup the ranks over the last 12 years.“Ever since graduation, we’ve been movingfrom position to position within theorganization. I’ve had the opportunity todo operations, retail sales and headquartersales. Now I’m in marketing withKellogg’s. It’s a two-year stint,” Clarksaid.James BottomsWith Eagle Connection, Clarkwill have a better opportunityto swap tips and struggles aboutannual plans, marketing strategiesand branding issues withfellow alumni who are in similarpositions.And next time they move, asimple logon to Eagle Connectionwill make it easier for theClarks to tell OC about theirnew location.B. James (Bobby) Bottoms(93), operations director forMountain Hardwear in Richmond,California, says havingeasier access to fellow alumnicould help his business.“As a business executive, I regularlystrive to build a networkof potential vendors, customersand employees that have a similarvalue system,” Bottoms said.“Being able to easily locate otherOC graduates who might fit intothese categories would be a huge benefit tohelping my business grow.”Bottoms expects he’ll be logging on toEagle Connection often and hopes to beable to get information about OC events VISION SPRING 2006 Transforming lives for Christian faith, leadership, and service.